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Susceptibility of Diabetic Patients to COVID-19 Infections: Clinico-Hematological and Complications Analysis
Banan Atwah1, Mohammad Shahid Iqbal1, Saeed Kabrah1
1Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Diabetes Mellitus (DM) patients with COVID-19 face increased severe symptoms and higher mortality risks. This study highlights the critical impact of diabetes on COVID-19 outcomes, underscoring the need for targeted management strategies.
Area of Science:
- Medical Research
- Infectious Diseases
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a significant global health threat.
- Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a complex chronic disease potentially worsening COVID-19 outcomes.
- Co-existing conditions like obesity and hypertension in diabetic patients may further impact COVID-19 severity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between Diabetes Mellitus and the severity of COVID-19 outcomes.
- To compare clinical characteristics and laboratory findings of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with and without DM.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study was conducted at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Saudi Arabia.
- Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected from medical records of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
- Patients were categorized into two groups: those with DM and those without DM.
Main Results:
- The study included 108 patients with DM and 433 without DM.
- Diabetic COVID-19 patients exhibited higher prevalence of symptoms like fever, anorexia, dry cough, and shortness of breath.
- Significant differences were observed in hematological and biochemical parameters, including decreased hemoglobin and calcium, and increased glucose and cardiac troponin in patients with DM.
Conclusions:
- Patients with Diabetes Mellitus have a substantially higher risk of developing severe symptoms from COVID-19.
- Higher rates of intensive care unit admission and mortality are associated with COVID-19 in diabetic patients.
- These findings emphasize the vulnerability of diabetic individuals to severe COVID-19 and the importance of managing diabetes during the pandemic.
Background:
Coronavirus disease 2019 has become a global health threat resulting in a catastrophic spread and more than 3.8 million deaths worldwide. It has been suggested that there is a negative influence of diabetes mellites (DM), which is a complex chronic disease, on COVID-19 severe outcomes. Other factors in diabetic patients may also contribute to COVID-19 disease outcomes, such as older age, obesity, hyperglycaemia, hypertension, and other chronic conditions.
Methods:
A cohort study was conducted on the demographics, clinical information, and laboratory findings of the hospitalised COVID-19 with DM and non-DM patients were obtained from the medical records in King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Saudi Arabia.
Results:
Among the study population, 108 patients had DM, and 433 were non-DM patients. Patients with DM were more likely to present symptoms such as fever (50.48%), anorexia (19.51%), dry cough (47.96%), shortness of breath (35.29%), chest pain (16.49%), and other symptoms. There was a significant decrease in the mean of haematological and biochemical parameters, such as haemoglobin, calcium, and alkaline phosphate in people with diabetes compared to non-diabetics and a considerable increase in other parameters, such as glucose, potassium, and cardiac troponin.
Conclusions:
According to the findings of this study, patients who have diabetes have a greater risk of developing more severe symptoms associated with COVID-19 disease. This could result in more patients being admitted to the intensive care unit as well as higher mortality rates.
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